Pretty Cookie Jars For Your Kitchen

Singly OR 

Pick More Than One For Groupings!

I just can't stand ugly stuff! I'm sure that you all know by now that I am a visual person. 

I want pretty, dang it! 

Pretty all over! 
(Part 1)

Here are some really pretty Cookie Jars for you. 

Or, what else could you put inside? M&Ms, Skittles, Wheat Thins, Granola or Protein Bars, etc.

Product Information
This simple but contemporary cookie jar is the perfect storage container for favorite snacks, dog treats, coffee - you name it! White and ceramic with a bamboo lid, this is one jar that adds an instant sweet spot to your kitchen.

• 7"H x 6"W
• Bamboo lid with air-tight rubber seal

 

Images copy-written. Do Not Copy!

Historical Hottie And A Ghost?

Leonidas Polk

1806-1864

 

Here are some photographs of the portrait of Leonidas Polk that

 I took on Tuesday, June 24, 2014.

I went to hear a speaker at the parish hall at St. Peter's Episcopal 

Church in Columbia, Tennessee.

After the discussion, I went for snacks and noticed this portrait. 

Such a handsome man, I thought. So, I took a photo on my way.

 Then, when I got close up, I took another. 

Nice, but I wanted a better one. A close up that didn't have 

a glare. And, I wanted to see his face better. So, another 

was taken...

Darn that glare! Wait, what is that?????

It looks like  a face behind him.

So, I took another one.

Now, I can definitely see a face behind him! And, it's

 

screaming with, what looks like blood coming from it! 

Aargh!!!!

So, I showed it to a couple of people. And, then I heard the 

story of Reverend Polk.

Apparently, he was the founder of Sewanee, University of 

the South. He was a Bishop in Louisiana, which apparently,

 is why the school is connected to the Episcopalian Church.

After graduating from West Point, he had no experience in 

the military. Yet, when the Civil War broke out, he was 

given a command position. (Another example of gentry 

being given an esteemed position without experience) 

Polk became a Lieutenant General after three years in the 

army. He was a very large man. Supposedly, he was over 

six feet tall, over two-hundred points, and most probably 

closer to three-hundred. (Could this be a romanticized ideal?

 Maybe.)

At a position just north of Atlanta, Polk and his men were on

 one side near a hill. The Union Army was on the other side.

 Polk stood on top of the hill (maybe to get a better view?) 

And the Union Officer told his men to load their cannons 

and to then said "Let's get that fat man!"

The cannons fired, and hit Leonidas Polk in the head! If this

 is all true, then is the face screaming that of Polk, himself? 

Is the red "from" the head, the blood from his wound? 

Yes, it is supposed to be the chair. And, yes, it is the glare 

of the lamp. 

But, isn't this a cool argument?????!!!!

Guest Post by Kassie Nelson on Salisbury House

Salisbury House

 By Kassie Nelson

To see an entire post of Christmas Photos go Here

(also by Kassie Nelson)

Nestled in the South of Grand neighborhood of Des Moines, Iowa is a piece of England- 

the Salisbury House. 

“A piece of England” is a literal statement as 16^th century wooden beams that held up the roof of an inn where Shakespeare is said to have performed adorn the ceiling in one part of the house. Other salvaged English pieces include decorative wood panels to wood floor planks featured in the Commons Room. These incredible pieces of history were lovingly brought to Des Moines by cosmetic company king, Carl Weeks and his wife, Edith during the 1920s. The inspiration for their home was the Kings House in Salisbury, England.

Salisbury House is a blend of Tudor and Gothic styles. It has the charm and a sense of culture from a bygone era. When you walk through its massive front door you feel as though you have stepped back in time. The Weeks amassed a massive collection on their travels of art and antiques. Many of these items are proudly on display throughout. The crown jewel is the library. The library features the Weeks collection of over 3,500 books. Many of these are rare and some date back to the eighteenth century. Their collection of old documents signed by the likes of King Ferdinand of Aragon and President Abraham Lincoln can also be found here. 

The home did not stay in the Weeks’ possession for very long, its upkeep proved too much for them, and has been owned by different organizations over the years. The Salisbury House Foundation has owned the property since 1998 and has worked diligently to restore the entire home. The garage and cottage have been restored. The tile roof was replaced in 2005 and just last year the wooden floors on the second level were refinished. The plaster walls have also been repaired and repainted. While the majority of the home has been restored, there are enough rooms left to insure that there will be something new for some time. The charm of this home extends to the outside to its English style garden. Some of the oldest and largest oak trees in Des Moines dot the property.

Readers may be delighted to know that this home is open to public guided and self-guided tours for a relatively low priced admission. The property can also be booked for special events such as weddings. Special events occur year-round, from the popular to Holy & Ivy Tour in December to “Shakespeare on the Lawn” in the summertime. You can view the calendar of events and learn more about Salisbury House by visiting: www.salisburyhouse.org.

 

Because Of Father's Day And My Birthday...

My Dad's Family History

Since it's dad's day (well, yesterday was, in any event), and tomorrow is my birthday (Hooray!! Oh, and btw, there would be no "father without me), I thought that I would share my family history through my father. 

Now, this is via the papers that my grandfather gave my dad, and who then gave to me. 

I have not verified any of this information; it is solely through the family documents that I reiterate here.

Taylor Melinda Marie Speer (now Speer-Sims)

Mother Bonnie Jean Begley

Father David William Speer

Mother Lois Smith

Father Byford Speer (This is whom our knight statue is named after)

Mother Clara Daubersmith (My grandfather says pronounced Dauberschmidt)

Father Thomas Speer

Mother Sarah Wheaton

Father Henry Speer

Mother Abigail Du Bois

Father Henry Speer

Mother Lois Kent

Father Thomas Speer

Mother Martha Gould

Father Johannes Speer

My ancestor's Coat of Arms
From Bavaria, Germany

Mother Engline Cadmus

Father Tunis Speer

Mother Catryntia Wybrant

Father Hendric Speer 

Mother Catrina Van Brugh

Father Hans Speer

Then it moves to Catrina is the daughter of 

Mother Catherine Jansen Roeloff

Father Johannes Van Brugh

Daughter of

Mother Christina 

Father Roeloff Jansen

Nassau Keep
My ancestor's castle

Daughter of 

Mother Anna of Orange from the Nassau Family

Father Wolfert Weber

Daughter of 

Mother Anna of Saxony

Father Prince William of Orange and Count of Nassau-Dillenburg

Mother Juliana of Stolberg

Father William, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg

Mother Countess of Vianden Luxemburg

Father Artho of Nassau-Dillenburg

Anna, my ancestress

Damn Sexy!
William, my ancestor
If anyone, I am related to him because I know that I have sexy ancestors!!!

Guest Blogger Sharmane McCoy

Garage Sale Home

Sharmane McCoy 

with Sisters Cary on 

Facebook and Etsy

I first learned of Sisters Cary from a beautiful gown that I found on Etsy. I then began to follow on Facebook, and saw many more that were created. I ordered one dress and a skirt that were very well made, for my future engagements. I fell in love with two, but alas, they were for someone else. But, I will keep my eye out for another. On the Facebook page, I saw pictures of Sharmane's home, and then learned the history. I just had to have her write a little ditty and share it with you! It is an amazing story. Enjoy.

This is my home I restored myself. 

All photographs provided by Sharmane McCoy
and are subject to copyright

William and Thomas Bradford were given 1,000 acres for 

service provided in the Revolutionary War 1786. The home 

stayed in the Bradford family till 1862.

 I bought the house at a garage sale;

it was to be bull dozed the following week. 

The outside of the structure was covered in clapboard and 

insul-brick.The interior walls were many layers of wallpaper,

horse-hair plaster, and lathe. I wasn't sure the home was a 

loghouse since no logs were exposed.

 I did, however, upon removing the first wall, find 

hand- hewn beams that were white washed in milk and lye.

 The original chinking which was mud and straw had fallen

 in between the plaster. 

The home had been heated with a coal furnace

 and pot belly stove.

It took me 6 years to restore the logs and expose them.

My home is a Midland Tradition Double-Penned, 

three full-story log house.

The logs would of been cleared from the property to include 

up to 90 hand-hewn beams. My home is made out of 

red-oak; some logs being 20 inches wide and 27 feet long.

The interior beams are pit sawn and the corner notches are

 Norwegian Dove tail.

The original cabin is 24x27 feet 

and a Victorian Addition was added in 1911.